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Cruisair A/C question ...

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/03/2003 : 16:30:19

Hi everyone,

Not long ago I bought a used Cruisair air conditioner for my boat ... it didn't come with an owner's manual, so I've got a question I need help with.

Today I finally got the carry-on cover I ordered several weeks ago, and I'm not sure how to use it correctly. The cover is a big rectangular "box" of canvass that is the same size and shape as the air conditioner. It has a drawstring on the bottom of it that allows you to tighten the cover around the bottom of the air conditioner and the hatch.

Here is my question ... when I'm using the a/c, is it OK for the cover to be over the whole air conditioner, or do I have to expose the a/c louvers to outside air so the compressor can cool off? The cover is supposed to be waterproof, but the material also seems to "breathe" ... I just don't know if it allows enough cooling air to get inside the unit.

'Any thoughts?

Thanks ... it's already hot as hell down here, and I need that a/c to work!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

Edited by - on

ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2003 : 18:07:13

Buzz,
My Carry-On has a rectangular opening that has bungy type of cord sewn inside the seam and that part slids over the front of the AC, the rest of the material covers the Hatch, The rear of the unit is not covered. The problem I had is that if it started raining in the middle of the night I had to get up and move it to close the hatch since the cover does not keep blowing rain out. I have since constructed a triangular shaped tarp for the bow so that I will not have to get up in the middle of the night to move the thing...I have not tested it yet however..
Steve

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dc32b3127cce94d57c8cff3b0000001010" border=0> Moon Chaser #385WK <img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/forum1.gif" border=0>

Edited by - ssteakley on 06/03/2003 18:07:54

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2003 : 20:35:09

I have used a couple of these, owned one and rented the other. As I recall, the covers of both had the "bungee" in them mentioned above. The front end ov the unit stuck out and we worked the cover over the front, I seem to recall there was a sort of "lip" or molded area at the right place for the cover to grab the body of the unit, but memory might not be too good. Then the rest of the unit gets draped over the hatch and body together, rather like an old time photographer under the cover. We had a couple of pretty heavy rainstorms, and I was impressed with how little rain entered the boat, but the hatches were on level areas, not on a steeply pitched cabinhouse like our Cat 25's. Let us know how you make out, good luck, ron srsk Orion SW FL

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luckystar
Navigator

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USA
236 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2003 : 20:55:45

I've wanted one of these units but just can't put out that much money for the three months out of the year that we need them. Someday, I'm hoping the big boat next to me will follow through on his plans to install A/C inboard and sell me his unit at a friend's discount. My question is this: instead of putting the unit in the hatch, will it fit in the cockpit floor and poke through the companionway with the horizontal deflector? I currently mount my wal-mart special on two crates in the companion way and pull my quilted companionway coverover it. Works pretty well but not really made for the marine environment. the cruisair is molded and rounded edged with the sharp alum. evap thingys hidden (cut myself many times getting the unit off the boat!!)

Patrick Burnett, Little Rock, AR
S/V Lucky Star #2707 1982 SK/SR<br>
<img src="http://www.proxycreative.com/clients/luckystar/luckystar_0602_sm.jpg" border=0><br>
http://www.proxycreative.com/luckystar.html

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2003 : 00:09:56

Update ... I saw Steve's cover yesterday ... it is NOTHING like what I bought ... it is just as Ron described. BTW, if any of y'all are thinking about doing business with Performance Yacht Systems in Maryland (pyacht.com), DON'T DO IT ... they sold me this piece of junk ... I had trouble with them from the very beginning.

Anyway, I'm either going to make one like Steve's, or buy one ... the canvass "box" I've got is strictly for covering and protecting the entire unit ... it doesn't let it "breathe" when in use.

Patrick ... you bring up an interesting point. Although I'm not too crazy about having something obstructing the companionway, I might experiment with your idea ... I'll let you know if it works.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

Edited by - on

Mark Loyacano
Navigator

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USA
247 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2003 : 20:42:52

I tried our CruisAir in the companionway AND the forward hatch (where it was designed to fit).
The forward hatch works ok. The deflector throws the air straight aft.
The companionway is a different story though.
I set the front of the airconditioner on the bottom of the companionway and put a bucket under the aft part of the unit to catch water and keep it level (very important).

IMHO .. the CruisAir is too expensive, too cumbersome and doesn't have the BTU's to cool enough when the outside temperature exceeds 85 to 90 degrees.

Air conditioning is veeeeery nice to have. Consider one of the newer units which mount inside the boat (check the latest issue of the Mainsheet). It costs more but will accomplish the job better ... that is the point, isn't it.

Mark L.
Cat 25 SR/SK #549

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.